AUSTIN — More than a decade ago, an influential Texas televangelist sent a signal to Republican primary voters in Iowa that George W. Bush was the man to follow. That endorsement from John Hagee helped launch Bush’s ascension to the White House.

On Saturday, Hagee was on stage with Gov. Rick Perry at a prayer rally that showcased the Republican’s appeal to Christian conservatives, an important voting bloc should he decide to seek a run for president.

As pundits and politicos on Sunday debated the impact of the revival-style event, which drew 30,000 to Reliant Stadium in Houston, Perry has steered clear of any talk about future campaigns.

In Saturday’s event, he called for divine inspiration “in these difficult times,” said public leaders needed to keep their faith close at hand and declared God nonpartisan — “wise enough to not be affiliated with any political party.”

Perry organized the event, which was paid for with private money, to help unify the nation and fix its ills. Critics said the rally, dubbed “The Response,” inappropriately mixed government and religion, and protesters demonstrated outside the arena.

In his address, Hagee, pastor of a San Antonio megachurch, compared the Texas governor to one of America’s greatest leaders. “We pray for our governor, Rick Perry, who has had the courage today to call this time of fasting and prayer, just as Abraham Lincoln did in the darkest days of the Civil War. We thank you for his leadership, his integrity, and his loyalty to God and country,” Hagee said.

Underscoring the dominant theme of the day, Hagee said government should be guided by biblical principles, so “that the cloud of chaos and confusion be lifted” in Washington.

Hagee hasn’t come out in support of any candidate in the 2012 presidential race. His backing of Bush in the summer of 1999 carried considerable weight with religion-motivated voters. “I’m supporting George Bush,” he told Iowa Christian activist Bobbie Gobel. “He’s a godly brother.”

Bush carried Iowa and went on to win the presidency.

Hagee isn’t the only figure from Bush’s presidential launch who is back this year.

A decade ago, Christian wunderkind Ralph Reed played an instrumental part, preparing the way with social conservatives. Reed helped orchestrate calls for Bush from Southern Baptist leader Richard Land, TV evangelist James Robison and Christian historian David Barton.

This time, Reed’s Faith and Family Coalition is active in the early states. The group isn’t endorsing anyone, but is organizing Christian conservatives to get involved.

Land and Barton were both on stage with Perry in Houston. And Robison helped promote the Perry event on his TV show.

Perry has been talking with potential donors, operatives and party leaders about a possible presidential run. An announcement hasn’t been scheduled, but he plans to deliver speeches Friday to the Alabama GOP and Saturday to a convention of conservative bloggers in Charleston, S.C. The latter event is the same day as the Republicans’ straw poll in Iowa, a closely watched test of campaign strength in the leadoff caucus state.

Perry and his day of prayer and fasting came up Sunday on ABC’s This Week with Christiane Amanpour. Conservative commentator George Will called it “wise” move and said he expects Perry to campaign on the theme of “Texas exceptionalism” as a state that has been as the forefront of creating jobs.

Also on the program, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican and a leader among tea party freshmen in Congress, said “people getting closer to God and praying is a good thing.”

But he said he’s backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, calling him “the most formidable” and “the best person at this job. He understands the economy, capital formation and jobs. “

Some Republican strategists said Perry, if he gets in, should focus more on his economic efforts than his social ones since he apparently already has evangelical Christians in his corner.

Romney has emphasized his background as a CEO more than he has his record as governor, and he is trying to be seen as the candidate most focused on jobs.

“Perry can come here and legitimately go after the economic message, and if he does, Romney’s in trouble,” said Iowa Republican Doug Gross, who was a top Romney supporter in 2008 but is unaligned this year. “Perry can build a sense of momentum, starting in Iowa, that he’s the jobs candidate. He’s got a perfect opportunity.”

Staff writer Todd J. Gillman in Washington and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.